Method of protecting ceramic swimming-pool structures



Aug. M, 1923.

@4648M- J. F. BOORAEM METHOD OF'PROTECTING CERAMIC SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 4. 1922 M, @um "lill,

Patented die@ ld, l23

srs

JOHN FRMCS BQRl-itl 0E' GREENWEIQEI, GDBTNECTICU'E.

mannen er een if.

I applicetlcn'aled December t, 1922. serial Ito. @tdt/ To ZZ whom it may concern."

Be it known that ll, JOHN FRANCIS Boonania, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Greenwich, county of vFairfield, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful llmprovements in Methods of Protecting Ceramic Swimming- Pool Structures, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to an improved method of protecting ceramic swimming pool structures and more particularly inds its principal application to outdoor or exposed swiminin pools. Heretoiore, it has not been possi le for the contractor to arantee outdoor pools constructed of glazed tile, terra cotta or other ceramic material against the injurious ed'ects of frost or ice. ln the winter, when the outdoor temperature is below the freezing point, snow or moisture collecting in crevices of the ceramic tiling freezes and in expanding, freuently loosens or splits the tile and cracks t e glazed surfaces thereof.

l propose, in the present invention to provide a method whereby the ceramic structures of suich outdoor or exposed pools may be absolutely protected and insured against the destructive action of frost and ice. Not only does my new method prevent the freezing of water or moisture upon or in the crevices of the ceramic structure, but as a resultantv thereof, the space allotted. to the swimming pool is converted into an ice skating rink, thus adording a source of revenue during the winter, as well as in summer to the owner or pro rietor.

lin so far as this latter advantageous teature of the invention isconcerned, it might well be employed in connection with indoor pools. 'llhus in a building having a number of such ceramic col structures utilized for purposes of ba ing or swimmingv in the summer time, inthe winter the proprietor may readily convert any number or all of the pools into skating rinks. 'lhus patrons et the establishment are enabled to exercise their preference tor either skating or swimming, or may enjoy both of these pleasures without leaving the building.

Withthe above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved method 'which ll shall presently describe in detail and thus subsequently incorporate in the subjoined claims.

lin the accompanying drawing li have illustrated my improved method in connection with a ceramic pool construction of conventional'type, the said drawing representin a sectional perspective view ot the pool. he pool structure as illustrated in the drawin is erected upon a foundation 'ot reinforce concrete indicated at 5. rlFhe bottom wall 6, the side walls 7 and the end walls of the pool structure, are composed ot brick or tile, terra cotta or other ceramic material, the exposed surfaces of which are highly glazed. lit desired, a backing wall of brick, indicated at 8, ma be provided at the outer side of each of t e end and side walls. At the upper edge or each or the end and side walls of the ool, there is rovided a combined gutter 4an life rail 9, these gutter and life rails being substantially continuous around the tour sides of the pool.

lin the present instance l have illustrated the pool as provided with a continuous trench l0 also extending around the entire pool structure which provides `a convenient space for attendants 1n opening or closing the drainage valves or making necessary repairs thereto. The upper side of this trench is closed bly the marginal ooring 1l of the pool whic lis made up of ceramic tiles or slabs. it will be understood that the :toregoin description of the pool construction is mere y illustrative and the resent invention which ll shall presently escribe, is applicable as well to the numerous other constructions of such pools known to the present art or which mav'subsequently be conceived'. ln the described construction, there is interposed between the bottom, side and end walls of the pool and the concrete foundation, a hea waterproofing material shown at 12, said material also extending between the marginal floor slabs ll and the parts of the foundation structure which support the same.

lin the summer time when the 'pool is employed for swimming purposes, the maximum water level is that indicated at A, or below the marginal flooring surrounding the pool structure. For the winter time when the pool can no longer be employed for swimming purposes, the trench outlets from the gutters are closedv and an embankment is constructed around the pool outwardly of the flooring ll. The adjacent surface of this embankment ma extend down to the flooring at a slope oi any desired degree and this sloping face ot the ltlli embankment may be composed of turf, gravel or other suitable material which ,will resist a considerable pressure. However, when available, the'pool structure may be built within 'the boundaries of a natural embankment. The pool is then flooded with w-ater to a considerable depth above the floor 11 and slightly below theupper level of the embankment. I have shown the embankment in the accompanying drawing at 13. When the tem erature of the atmosphere is below 32 water will of course freeze and as the temperature decreases, a solid cake of ice, indica'ted at .14, will form upon the water coverino' the pool structure between the walls of the embankment 13. In the drawin I have indicated the approximate thic ness of the` ice sheet which will form at normal winter temperatures. However, the depth of the water above the marginal flooring 11 of the pool is such that even during intensely severe winters the greatest thickness to which the ice will form will be approximately that indicated by the broken line B, which it will be observed, is a considerable distance above the floor 11. Thus the temperature of the water below the ice will remain at 32 F. which will not have a harmful effect upon the glazed ceramic tiling or any other lining, as there can be no expansion to produce rupture unless ice is formed. The coating of ice and water forms a blanket and prevents further freezing. The superimposed water head thus affords a complete rotection for the tile structure so that y the adaptation of my present method contractors may give an absolute guarantee against injury to outdoor pools during the winter from the effects of frost or ice. At the same time, as the ice cake which forms upon the superimposed water head increases in thickness and can support the weight of a greater or less number of persons, it may be employed for the purpose of ice skating, thus affording a source of winter revenue to the owner 0f the pool.

While the primary object and purpose of my present invention is 'to protect exposed or outdoor swimming pools of ceramic construction against injury during the winter, my present method might also be advantageously employed by the proprietor of public indoor swimming ools. Thus if such an establishment cont-ams two or more such pool structures, one might be devoted to swimmers and the other to ice skaters, thus possibly increasing the patronage of such an establishment with a correspondingly increased revenue to the proprietor. Of course, in the latter instance, artificial means would be employed for the purpose of freezing the upper area of the superimposed water head to form the ice sheet.

In the use of the method in connection with outdoor pools, after the temperature has moderated and the ice sheet melted in the spring, the excess water is drawn off so that the level of the water is again lowered to the line A. ,The surrounding embankment 13 can either' then be removed, if of a temporary character, or if permanent, terraced and seeded for grass and steps may be cut therein, or other suitable means provided for the convenient descent of swimmers to the marginal floor 11 of the pool. While I have above referred to an embankment 13 surrounding the pool structure, it will be understood that other means confining the superim osed .walter head and which ma 'there ore be considered as the equiva ent of such an embankment, may be provided. However, I

prefer to adopt natural means for the purpose of confining the water head wherever possible, since in such case it is not necessary to provide means for compensating for expansive forces. Accordingly, it is to be understood that in the practice of my new method, I do not consider myself as limited to the precisev detail features herein described but reserve the privilege of making any necessar changes therein as may be necessitated existing conditions or peculiarities of t e pool structure or surrounding land area, and as may be fairly considered as within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. The herein described method which consists in superimposing a water head upon a swimming pool structure and subjecting the upper area of the superimposed Water head to a freezing temperature to form an ice sheet having a thickness appreciably less hai the depth of the superimposed water 2. The herein described method which consists in confining a superimposed water head upon a ceramlc swimming pool structure and subjecting the upper area of the superimposed water head to a freezing temperature whereby a sheet of ice is formed of a thickness capable of use as a skating rink and said water head providing a body of water intervening between the ice sheet and the upper marginal surface of the pool havig a temperature of approximately 32 3. The method of protecting outdoor swimming pools of ceramic construction, which consists in surrounding said pool b an embankment and flooding the pool with7 water above its normal summertime water level to provide a superimposed water head between the walls of the embankment of such depth that the greatest thickness of the ice sheet forming on said superimposed water head will be ess than the depth of the water head to thereby provide an interiii vening Abody of water between the ice sheet and the upper surface of the pool structure havippig a temperature of approximately 32 tween the walls of said embankment to form an ice sheet of suficient thickness for use as a skating rink and having its lower surface spaced an a preciable distance above the marginal su ace ofthe pool structure.

5. rlhe method of protecting swimming pools of ceramic construction which consists in surrounding the pool proper with enclosin Walls and then flooding the pool to provi i e a depth of water between said walls above the maximum water level in the pool when used for swimming purposes, suicient i to maintain a temperature of approximately 32 F. of the water in immediate contact with parts of the pool while permitting the upper area of the flood water to be frozen by natural or artificial means to produce an ice sheet of a thickness requisite for use as a skating rink.

ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as my invention, l have signed my name hereunder.

J. FRANCES BOORAEM. 

